“Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria face the same enemy,” Traoré said.

“We would have preferred a more accurate presentation of the security situation, rather than placing the blame for a complex situation on neighbouring countries, at the risk of fuelling misunderstandings and frustrations between peoples bound by history, geography, and fraternity,” he said.

Traoré also argued that Tinubu’s assessment overlooked the sacrifices made by Sahelian armies and civilians fighting jihadist groups.

In particular, he noted that Niger had confronted Boko Haram before militant violence expanded significantly across Mali and Burkina Faso.

“We are not responsible for what is happening to us. The real enemies are elsewhere,” he said.